morneau Posted April 1, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 1, 2015 We had a wonderful previous experience on the Seabourn Odyssey two years ago and booked another cruise to the Baltic for late June. We were aware that we had until three months ahead to cancel, and as the time grew nearer we realized that the cruise at that time just wouldn't work. We were unaware that the policy had changed and that any cancellation less than four months ahead would cause loss of 15% of the gross fare. Our mistake as we did not read the fine print and assumed the cancellation policy was the same as before (rules changed this past August). In any event, we asked that our deposit instead be moved to another cruise next year. We booked the cruise with a large travel agency in Florida that books many cruises, and they have been working hard to try to get this done but can't seem to get anywhere with Seaborn. Clearly they will be able to rebook the cabin so I'm not sure why they feel the need to hang on to our deposit.....other than greed? It's been almost two weeks and there is no resolution or communication with Seabourn, and I have to say it just leaves me with a very bad feeling. Such a shame as we really enjoyed the previous cruise, but I think we'll go elsewhere next time around. Let it be understood that we realize it was our mistake in not reading the fine print, but a disappointing experience all around has left us looking for other cruise options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Luxury Posted April 1, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Yes,your mistake but a good TA would have been able to sort this very easily. By this I mean a TA that is a Seabourn specialist and not just a large TA that deals with all lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oregon50 Posted April 1, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Small people making decisions without realizing the consequence of their foolishness. If the this TA cannot get them to move, imagine trying to do it on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FKGirl Posted April 1, 2015 #4 Share Posted April 1, 2015 It is the job of the TA to remind people when final payments are due, and when cancellation policies expire. They are not always the same thing. (I calendar both dates for every client when I make a booking.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morneau Posted April 2, 2015 Author #5 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Thanks everyone for your helpful comments - up until now I have been placing the blame with Seabourn, but it sounds like I should have expected more from this travel agent as well. Next time, we'll aim to use a specialist with whatever line we decide to book.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalliowner Posted April 2, 2015 #6 Share Posted April 2, 2015 In the UK you loose your deposit if you cancel at any time, even a year in advance. I suppose it does stop people booking on the off chance they want to go:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay23 Posted April 2, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Quite right Dalliowner. However we did once change a cruise to a different date and the deposit was moved to the new cruise at an "administration"cost of £100. The alternative cruise had to be to the same or greater value of the original. Also it had to be within a twelve month window I seem to remember The OP should be able to do something similar to that I would have thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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